Schmidt scored a goal in a 3-2 victory against the Ducks on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old has four goals in just 24 games this season. He has the entire second half to score two more times to set a new career best. Schmidt has missed a few games, but at his current pace, he could still set a new career high in the points and plus/minus categories too. He has 14 points and a plus-14 rating to go with his four goals this season.

Schmidt tallied two goals, three points, a plus-3 rating and four shots on goal in a 5-3 victory against the Capitals on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

He's only played nine games, but coming into the night, Schmidt had posted just one assist this season. Clearly, this is the offensive outburst owners wanted to see. Keep in mind, though, that facing his former team, which didn't protect him in the expansion draft, likely motivated Schmidt on Tuesday night. Hopefully this is the beginning of a special season now that he's healthy, but owners should still proceed with caution until Schmidt records a nice night against a regular foe.

Schmidt (suspension) made his season debut against the Oilers on Sunday, recording 19:38 of ice time but failing to mark the scoresheet in a 6-3 road win.

EDGE Analysis

It looks like it's going to take some time for Schmidt to fully shake off the rust, even though he did practice with a Vienna-based team during his suspension. The American averaged 22:14 in Vegas' magical inaugural season, and it's probably only a matter of time before he's on the same page as Shea Theodore on the second defensive pair. The Golden Knights only have nine wins in 21 games this season, but the return of Schmidt -- who is featured in both special-teams situations -- could lead to a strong finish to the calendar year for the young club.

Schmidt will return from his 20-game suspension Sunday versus the Oilers, Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Schmidt served his 20-game ban for violating the league's Performance Enhancing Substances policy in Austria, and he has joined the Golden Knights during their road trip. The struggling team is hoping Schmidt can provide a spark, as they sit at seventh in the Pacific Division and rank 25th in the league with a 15.9 power-play percentage. Schmidt had 11 points with the man advantage last year and will get an immediate crack against a struggling Oilers' penalty kill (75 percent).

Schmidt will be eligible to return from his 20-game suspension Sunday night against the Oilers.

EDGE Analysis

Schmidt was assessed a 20-game ban in early September for violating the NHL's Performance Enhancing Substances policy. He was denied upon appealing the suspension, so the 27-year-old rearguard headed to Vienna where he was still able to practice. Jesse Granger of The Athletic wrote about how much fun Schmidt had overseas -- spoiler alert: it includes tales of the defenseman experiencing an Austrian circus and consuming a bacon-wrapped deer heart -- but now he'll shift his attention back to the Golden Knights. Schmidt led all Vegas blueliners with 36 points (five goals, 31 assists) in 76 regular-season games and helped the team advance to the Stanley Cup Finals against his former Capitals team. However, the Golden Knights have picked up only 17 points for a seventh-place standing in the Pacific Division this season.

Schmidt (suspension) -- who had been practicing overseas in Vienna -- was in attendance at Wednesday's practice session.

EDGE Analysis

Schmidt still has five contests to serve on his 20-game suspension for taking a banned substance. With Deryk Engelland (personal) away from the team, the Golden Knights could benefit from the return of the 27-year-old Schmidt. Once eligible to play, the Minnesota native figures to immediately slot into the lineup.

Schmidt (suspension) signed a six-year, $35.7 million contract extension with the Golden Knights on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Schmidt was a key contributor in Vegas' miracles run to the Stanley Cup Finals as an expansion club in 2017-18.

Schmidt (suspension) will link up with a club in Vienna during his 20-game ban for violating the league's anti-drug policy, David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

While Schmidt was allowed to practice with the Golden Knights during training camp, his suspension prohibits him from doing so any further. Instead he will head to Switzerland to practice with a team over there. The earliest the defenseman can return to action in Nov. 18 versus Edmonton.

Schmidt issued a statement through the NHL Players' Association, asserting that he feels he's been wrongfully accused of violating the league's anti-drug policy, which resulted in a 20-game suspension that was ultimately upheld after an appeal from an independent arbitrator, Katie Strang of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The burgeoning defenseman, who is fresh off career highs with the Golden Knights, including five goals and 31 assists, vehemently denies any wrongdoing. "Not only did I not intentionally take a banned substance, I could not have received any performance enhancement benefit from the trace amount that inadvertently got into my system at a level that was far too small to have any effect," Schmidt said in the statement. "This low amount was consistent with environmental contamination that I could not possibly have prevented." This is an important issue because it calls into question the validity of select drug testing policies, and changes could be in order when the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement is ultimately modified.

Schmidt has been suspended 20 games for violating the NHL's Performance Enhancing Substances policy, Frank Seravalli of TSN.ca reports.

EDGE Analysis

Schmidt had his best season yet with the Golden Knights in 2017-18, scoring five goals and adding 31 helpers through 76 games. He'll be hard-pressed to match that total again since he'll have to sit out until Nov. 18. This will open the door for Deryk Engelland to man to top defensive pairing. He'll be able to participate in training camp but no preseason games, and he'll be further evaluated for possible treatment.